YACHTING EXPERIENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22259, 6 November 1935, Page 19

YACHTING EXPERIENCE

VALUE TO NAVAL OFFICERS ACTION BY THE ADMIRALTY The British Admiralty has for some time been anxiouß that naval officers should obtain experience of cruising and sailing in small boats. Arrangements are therefore being made for co-opera-tion between English yachting clubs and the Royal Navy, stated Colonel G. F. 0. Campbell in his address at the opening of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Wellington. Colonel Campbell explained that Admiralty, officials recognised the value of yachting experience in promoting rapid action, immediate decision and initiative. They had therefore arranged for the designing of a special class boat, about 14ft. in length, which could be carried conveniently on the decks of men-of-war for the training of officers. But that, said the speakef, did not provide the cruising experience which the Admiralty was assured was of the greatest value to its officers, and so arrangements were being made with private yachting clubs to provide facilities. The commodore of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club pointed out that the club's constitution, which had formerly laid down that only members might race at the helm of yachts registered with the club, had been revised to include naval officers, in order to provide for visiting members of the Royal Navy.